Listen to a sample
Rose & Renzo
- Author
- Carolyn O'Brien
- Narrator
- Esther Wane
- Publisher
- W. F. Howes Ltd
- Publish Date
- 14 May 2026
- Run Time
- 10 hours 1 minute
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
Fascism looms in Europe, and Oswald Mosley’s Blackshirts are on the rise. Meanwhile, aspiring artist Rose is drawn to an unlikely stranger, unaware her future is about to be caught up in the growing storm.
Facing straitened circumstances, following the death of their clergyman father, two very different sisters move from Manchester’s leafy suburbs to the deprivation of Ancoats and its vibrant ‘Little Italy’: creative misfit, Rose and her much older sister, Ivy. Conservative in nature and fearful of Rose’s impulsiveness, Ivy seeks to control her, forcing her to postpone her place at the Manchester School of Art and to take a tedious office job.
Frustrated by this new life and desperate to pursue her passion, Rose encounters Renzo, a painter just arrived from Europe. Their instant connection and love of art leads to a swiftly deepening attraction. Yet as their feelings develop, Renzo’s past life in Mussolini’s Italy remains a mystery. As Blackshirts and anti-fascists clash across the city, freedom-loving Rose is drawn into the fight against fascism, even as she begins to wonder at Renzo’s secrecy. Ultimately, she’s compelled to face the devastating question: which side is he on?
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Carolyn O'Brien
- Narrator
- Esther Wane
- Duration
- 10 hours 1 minute
- Release Date
- 14 May 2026
- ISBN
- 9781004248841
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- W. F. Howes Ltd
Synopsis
Manchester, 1936Fascism looms in Europe, and Oswald Mosley’s Blackshirts are on the rise. Meanwhile, aspiring artist Rose is drawn to an unlikely stranger, unaware her future is about to be caught up in the growing storm.Facing straitened circumstances, following the death of their clergyman father, two very different sisters move from Manchester’s leafy suburbs to the deprivation of Ancoats and its vibrant ‘Little Italy’: creative misfit, Rose and her much older sister, Ivy. Conservative in nature and fearful of Rose’s impulsiveness, Ivy seeks to control her, forcing her to postpone her place at the Manchester School of Art and to take a tedious office job.Frustrated by this new life and desperate to pursue her passion, Rose encounters Renzo, a painter just arrived from Europe. Their instant connection and love of art leads to a swiftly deepening attraction. Yet as their feelings develop, Renzo’s past life in Mussolini’s Italy remains a mystery. As Blackshirts and anti-fascists clash across the city, freedom-loving Rose is drawn into the fight against fascism, even as she begins to wonder at Renzo’s secrecy. Ultimately, she’s compelled to face the devastating question: which side is he on?
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.